Question:

(a) Explain the direct method of forecasting workforce at the macro level. What are its main limitations?

(b) The stock of mechanics in District Z stood at 2500 at the end of year 2002.

Assuming that the:

(i) annual outturn for this skills category is estimated to be 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 from 2003 to 2009;

(ii) 10% of annual outturn follow professional courses;

(iii) rate of attrition is 5% every year and

(iv) the labour force participation rate is 75% .

Calculate the effective stock of manpower and the corresponding labourforce from the year 2002 to 2009.

Round up the figures whenever required to obtain integers.